A new state-of-the-art community may be built in Apex starting next year.

The Veridea development will be constructed at the intersection of U.S. 1 and N.C. 55. The 1,000 acre sustainable community will include 10 million square feet of office space, 3.5 million square feet of commercial and retail development along with 8,000 residential units.

Developer Tom Hendrickson said he is confident in the project despite the economy.

"This is a long term project and the planning is important so we're ready when the economy turns around," Hendrickson said.

The Veridea development is just in the planning stages and still must be approved by the Apex town council. Town officials and developers said it could bring more than 30,000 jobs and thousands of new residents to the area. Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly said it will do even more.

"It's six billion dollars worth of tax base for Apex. It's going to be the highest standard of development in the country," Weatherly said.

Town officials and developers announced the venture at a press conference today calling it the "next generation version of R-T-P". Director of Economic Development Jim Stella agrees.

"It will also be a model for future development," Stella said.

They plan begin on the $60 million ground work in 2010, continuing construction over a 15 year period.

"It's going to be the standard of development that our citizens will be proud of," Weatherly said.

Weatherly says before the council makes a decision the public will have a chance to speak out about the project.